Suntanning tub

ABSTRACT

A shallow, tub-like receptacle for use by sunbathers in obtaining a suntan. The receptacle is defined by an elongated rectangular bottom with relatively short end and side walls projecting upwardly therefrom, the end walls being of different height so that the tub is deeper at one end than the other. A peripheral flange extends laterally outward from the end and side walls, the flange being widened along each side over a predetermined length to define arm rests for the user. The tub further includes inclined ramp surfaces disposed at each end thereof to receive and comfortably support the sunbather&#39;&#39;s head and feet in a position of repose.

United States Patent Tersch Sept. 17, 1974 SUNTANNING TUB [76] Inventor:James R. Tersch, 4725 E. Marie 5; 5323;

[22] F1 d t 1 1 2312 Mmn' 55422 Attorney, Agent, or FirmMerchant, Gould,Smith 8L 1 e 1 cc.

Appl. No.: 313,834

[52] US. Cl. 4/177, 4/185 HB, 9/348, D23/52, 128/372, 220/72 [51] Int.Cl. A47k 3/022, A6lh 33/00 [58] Field of Search 4/1, 172, 177, 173, 185R, ,4/ 60,162,164,163,148,185 HB;128/25 R, 367, 369, 372, 373; 229/25;D23/52; D6/37, 38; 9/347, 348; 220/1 C, 72; 206/77.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES- PATENTS 2,163,154 6/1939 Radimsky3,363,272 l/l968 Channon 3,496,577 2/1970 Saldana 4/173 [5 7 ABSTRACT Ashallow, tub-like receptacle for use by sunbathers in obtaining asuntan. The receptacle is defined by an elongated rectangular bottomwith relatively short end and side walls projecting upwardly therefrom,the end walls being of different height so that the tub is deeper at oneend than the other. A peripheral flange extends laterally outward fromthe 61152156 side walls, the flange being widened along each side over apredetermined length to define arm rests for the user. The tub furtherincludes inclined ramp surfaces disposed at each end thereof to receiveand comfortably support the sunbathers head and feet in a position ofrepose.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SUNTANNING TUB The invention is directed toa shallow tub for use by sunbathers in obtaining a suntan.

Sunbathing, whether done for the purpose of obtaining a suntan or merelyfor relaxation, is often accompanied by periods of undue warmth,particularly under conditions of high temperature and little or no wind.For the sunbather in close proxmity to a swimming pool, lake or ocean,the problem of becoming excessively warm or hot is of little consequencesince it is readily solved by a short submergence into the water, whichboth cools the body and assists in the tanning process. Sunbathers whodo not have immediate access to a swimming area are not so fortunate,and either tolerate such excessive warmth or cut short their period ofsunbathing.

My invention resides in a suntanning tub or receptacle which is capableof containing water at a shallow depth, and which also offerscomfortable support to the sunbather in a position of repose. Thus, theuse of my inventive structure enables the sunbather to remain both cooland comfortable for extended sunbathing periods.

The inventive suntanning tub includes an elongated rectangular bottomhaving side and end walls projecting upwardly therefrom to define ashallow receptacle capable of holding water. Preferably, the end wallsare of different height so that depth of the receptacle increases fromthe foot to the head portion. A peripheral flange extends laterallyoutward from the side and end walls, the flange having an increasedwidth from essentially the tub midpoint to the head portion to definearm rests enabling the sunbather to repose in a position of totalcomfort. Disposed at each end of the tanning receptacle is an inclinedramp surface extending longitudinally from the tub bottom to the top ofthe associated end wall to define supports for the users head and feet.The supportive foot surface is of such width relative to the width ofthe tub as to permit the sunbather to place his feet in the water oneither side thereof if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the inventive structurepermits a user to obtain a suntan at any desired location, whether ornot a swimming area is nearby, in complete comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of asuntanning tub embodying the inventive principle;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the inventive suntanning tub;

FIG. 3 is a view in top plan of the suntanning tub;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the suntanning tub taken alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the suntanning tub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings,a suntanning tub or receptacle embodying the inventive principle isrepresented generally by the numeral 11. Tub 11 comprises an elongatedbottom 12 which is generally rectangular in shape and longitudinallycorrugated to give it the requisite strength for adequately supporting aperson in a reclined position thereon. The length and width of bottom 12are chosen in accordance with the size of adult persons as will beevident below.

Projecting upwardly from the bottom 12 are a pair of side walls 13a, band a pair of end walls 14a, b the height of which is chosen togenerally define a shallow receptacle capable of holding water. Thejuncture of each of the side walls 13a, b and end walls 14a, b withbottom 12 is rounded, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the preferredembodiment, the end wall 14a is disposed at the head of tub 11, and itsheight is slightly greater than that of the end wall 14b (see FIG. 2 inparticular). Consequently, the side walls 13a, b increase in theirvertical dimension or height from the foot to the head of the tub 11,and the receptacle depth increases accordingly.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the line of juncture of eachof the side walls 13a, b and end walls 14a, b with the bottom 12 isrounded to eliminate the presence of sharp edges on the tub ll.

Extending laterally outward from the side wall 13a, b and end walls 14a,b is a continuous peripheral flange 15. As shown particularly in FIG. 4,the flange 15 has a rolled, smooth outer edge, also for the reason ofavoiding any sharpness to the user. Between the longitudinal midpoint ofthe tub 11 and the head portion, the peripheral flange 15 is widened todefine arm rests 16 on each side thereof. The arm rests 16 may beslightly concave, as shown particularly in FIG. 4, for more comfort tothe user and also to insure that water will be channeled back into thereceptacle rather than over the outer edge. Except for the arm rest 16,peripheral flange 15 is of essentially constant dimension.

Extending longitudinally from the end wall 14a to the top surface of thebottom 12 is a ramp surface 17, the inclined length of which issufficient to receive and comfortably support a users head. Similarly,at the foot of tub 11, a ramp surface 18 extends longitudinally from theend wall 14b to the upper surface of bottom 12. The inclined length oframp surface 18 enables the user to comfortably place his feet in aslightly elevated position thereon, such length being slightly greaterthan that of the ramp surface 17. The transverse dimension of width ofthe ramp 18, however, is somewhat less than that of the ramp surface 17to define slots 19 on either side thereon into which the user may placehis feet to keep them partially submerged in water, if de sired.

Preferably, each of the ramp surfaces l7, 18 is slightly concave asshown and has a slightly roughened finish, which prevents the users headand feet from slipping to provide optimum comfort.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be appar ent that theinventive tanning tub can be made from any number of appropriatematerials capable of defining a water retaining receptacle. Preferably,the tanning tub is formed from self-supporting polyethylene having athickness of 0.060 inches, which offers sufficient supportive strengthwithout being unduly heavy. The use of self-supporting polyethylene alsoenables the tub 11 to be integrally molded as a unit to simplify itsmanufacture.

Using the inventive tub 11 simply involves placing it on a flathorizontal surface, filling it with water to the desired depth andassuming a comfortable reposed position. The unique structure of thesuntanning tub ll enables the user to lie either face up or face down;and consequently, should the user become excessively warm or hot,turning over provides immediate cooling with a minimum expenditure ofenergy.

I claim:

1. An integrally molded, thin walled article for use by sunbathers,comprising:

a. an elongated, generally rectangular bottom member of predetermineddimension, the bottom member being longitudinally corrugated forstrength;

b. first and second end walls and first and second side walls projectingupwardly from the bottom member and defining a shallow recepacletherewith capable of holding water and sized to permit a sunbather tolie therein;

0. the vertical dimension of the first end wall being greater than thatof the second end wall, and the vertical dimension of the first andsecond side walls increasing correspondingly to define a receptacle ofincreasing depth toward said first end wall;

d. a peripheral flange of predetermined width extending laterallyoutward from said side and end walls, the peripheral flange beingwidened along each side from an intermediate point thereof to a pointproximate the first end wall to define arm rests for the sunbather;

e. a first generally rectangular inclined surface extendinglongitudinally from the top surface of the bottom member to the firstend wall and being slidhtly concave to receive and comfortably supportthe sunbathers head;

f. a second generally rectangular inclined surface extendinglongitudinally from the top surface of the bottom member to the secondend wall and being slightly concave to receive and confortably supportthe sunbathers feet;

g. each of said first and second inclined surfaces having a roughenedfinish to prevent slipping relative thereto.

2. The article defined by claim 1 wherein each of said arm rests isslightly concave and inclined downwardly to the receptacle to channelwater thereto.

3. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1 wherein the juncture of saidside and end walls with the bottom member is rounded.

4. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1, wherein the outer edge of theperipheral flange is rolled downwardly.

5. The suntanning tub defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom member,side walls, end walls, peripheral flange and inclined surface areintegrally molded from selfsupporting polyethylene.

6. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1, wherein the second inclinedsurface is spaced from the respective side walls to define slots toreceive the users feet.

1. An integrally molded, thin walled article for use by sunbathers,comprising: a. an elongated, generally rectangular bottom member ofpredetermined dimension, the bottom member being longitudinallycorrugated for strength; b. first and second end walls and first andsecond side walls projecting upwardly from the bottom member anddefining a shallow recepacle therewith capable of holding water andsized to permit a sunbather to lie therein; c. the vertical dimension ofthe first end wall being greater than that of the second end wall, andthe vertical dimension of the first and second side walls increasingcorrespondingly to define a receptacle of increasing depth toward saidfirst end wall; d. a peripheral flange of predetermined width extendinglaterally outward from said side and end walls, the peripheral flangebeing widened along each side from an intermediate point thereof to apoint proximate the first end wall to define arm rests for thesunbather; e. a first generally rectangular inclined surface extendinglongitudinally from the top surface of the bottom member to the firstend wall and being slidhtly concave to receive and comfortably supportthe sunbather''s head; f. a second generally rectangular inclinedsurface extending longitudinally from the top surface of the bottommember to the second end wall and being slightly concave to receive andconfortably support the sunbather''s feet; g. each of said first andsecond inclined surfaces having a roughened finish to prevent slippingrelative thereto.
 2. The article defined by claim 1 wherein each of saidarm rests is slightly concave and inclined downwardly to the receptacleto channel water thereto.
 3. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1wherein the juncture of said side and end walls with the bottom memberis rounded.
 4. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1, wherein the outeredge of the peripheral flange is rolled downwardly.
 5. The suntanningtub defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom member, side walls, endwalls, peripheral flange and inclined surface are integrally molded fromself-supporting polyethylene.
 6. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1,wherein the second inclined surface is spaced from the respective sidewalls to define slots to receive the user''s feet.